Folic acid-modified biocompatible Pullulan/poly(acrylic acid) nanogels for targeted delivery to MCF-7 cancer cells

Ghaffarlou M., SÜTEKİN S. D., KARACAOĞLU E., KARAHİSAR TURAN S., İnci Ö. G., Güven O., ...More

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, vol.184, pp.189-201, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 184
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.02.001
  • Journal Name: European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.189-201
  • Keywords: Nanogel, Pullulan, pH-sensitive, Folic acid, MCF-7, Cancer therapy
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

© 2023 Elsevier B.V.We prepared a novel nanogel consisting of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and pullulan (Pull) via a facile and green irradiation protocol. Synthesized nanogels were modified with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and folic acid (FA) and then loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) to obtain a delivery system with tumor-specific targeting ability and enhanced biocompatibility. In-vitro DOX release was investigated at different pH values, and it was found that DOX release was higher in acidic media, which is an advantage for the internalization of nanoparticles in acidic tumor environment. MTT assay and DAPI staining were performed to evaluate the effects of nanogels on L929 and MCF-7 cells. Based on the results of in vitro studies, DOX-loaded nanogels were found to be effective on cancer cells, while the neat ones were nondestructive in both lines. Overall, we envision that the biocompatible and tumor-specific nanogels could be a promising safe drug carrier system for cancer therapy.